Ten Little Tricks for Enjoying Exercise More
Many dieters view exercise as a chore. If you associate jogging with tedium, or the gym with being bored, then you’ll be forcing yourself forwards by sheer willpower – which means that there’ll almost certainly come a point where you simply give up (and feel a mix of relief and guilt).
But you don’t need to dread your exercise sessions. There are lots of easy tricks to make exercise more enjoyable.
1. Put on Your Favorite Music
If you normally work out in silence – or to the background music or radio in the gym – then invest in a cheap MP3 player and some comfortable headphones. Having music which you love when you’re working out makes a real difference to your motivation, and can help you to work harder. Pick tracks with a strong rhythm and a BMP (beats per minute) of around 130.
2. Wear Great Kit
Are you exercising in a pair of tatty jogging bottoms and an oversized t-shirt? Getting some effective and great looking workout clothes can help you feel more enthusiastic, and more comfortable. If you’re female, a well-fitting sports bra is a must – and everyone should have a pair of good trainers. There are lots of workout-friendly fabrics which help you to stay cool while exercising. Talk to specialists at a sports store about what you need.
3. Don’t Get Bored
Easier said than done – but if you can stop yourself from feeling bored, you’ve got a much better chance of sticking with your workouts. If your exercise always involves jogging round the same two blocks, or plodding away for 20 minutes on the cross-trainer, try giving yourself a challenge! Run somewhere new, or use a different program on the cardio machines. Alternatively, find some audio books to listen to while you run, cycle or walk – these will help keep your mind occupied.
4. Follow Exercise With a Treat
Obviously, you don’t want to undo your hard work by scoffing down a slab of chocolate cake as soon as you come out of the gym. But planning a non-food treat can help you in through those gym doors in the first place. How about reading a new magazine, or a couple of chapters of a novel? Perhaps you’ll exercise on nights when your favorite shows are on TV later. Or maybe you always follow workouts with a trip to the sauna, or a long hot bath.
5. Play a Sport or Train for a Competition
Some dieters enjoy exercising just for the benefits it brings – like better skin, a lifted mood, and more calories burned. But some people find their motivation in working towards a bigger goal. You might like to play on a sports team – when your exercise and fitness levels matter for your team’s success. If you’re the go-it-alone sort, you could train for a competition like a half-marathon or a triathlon. Don’t assume that you need to be super-fit – most teams and competitions have beginner levels.
6. Try Something New
Do you like boxercise, step aerobics or spinning? Perhaps you’ve never tried any of them. You might feel intimidated by the idea of going to a class, but there’s a good chance you’ll discover something new which you love. If you’ve been stuck with the same old exercise routine for months or years, why not give something new a try? The worst that can happen is you decide not to try it again!
7. Find a Workout Buddy
A great trick for upping your commitment to exercise is to arrange to work out with a friend: if you’ve promised Jane that you’ll go for a jog with her after work, it’s hard to talk yourself out of it. But having a buddy along isn’t just a way to make sure you show up: it’s also an easy tip for getting more out of your exercise time. A friend can encourage you, join you for a coffee afterwards, chat during brief rest breaks, and so on – making the whole workout much more fun.
8. Exercise at Different Times of Day
When do you normally exercise? Is it the best time for you? Although experts believe that our bodies are at their best around 5pm – 6pm, this isn’t necessarily the optimum time for you to go to the gym. A whole host of psychological and lifestyle factors matter, too. Perhaps you’d enjoy exercising first thing in the morning, to get your day off to a great start. Maybe squeezing a workout into your lunch hour would give you a much-needed break from the stresses of work. Or perhaps a long walk after dinner helps you digest your food. Try switching your work out to a different time of day – and see if it makes a difference.
9. Have a Snack and some Water Before Exercising
If you’re struggling to keep up your energy for long, or feeling tired and fed up half-way through a planned session, it could be because you’ve not given your body enough fuel. Although you wouldn’t want to eat a whole meal before working out, having a snack gives your energy levels a lift. A small banana, a few nuts or a handful of dried fruit, a granola bar, a couple of oatcakes or similar snacks all work well. And, of course, don’t forget to hydrate before you exercise: drink some water on your way to the gym.
10. Multi-task Your Exercise
If exercise itself feels like an unnecessary chore or a waste of time, find a way to fit it into the rest of your life. One of the best tricks here is to have an active commute to work – walk or cycle (or even jog, if you can shower and change at the office). You could also walk or cycle to the store instead of driving, or find a hobby which involves physical exertion, like gardening.
Whatever sort of exercise you do, don’t put up with boredom or frustration – find some easy ways to make it more enjoyable!
Written by Ali HaleRelated posts:
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